Police close down Aliu Mahama's radio station

Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP John A. Awuni The police in Tamale have closed down a local radio station owned by the former vice-president Alhaji Aliu Mahama for broadcasting a press conference held by the regent of Dagbon. The North Star Radio was closed down by armed policemen immediately after it aired live, the press conference. Panelists, security persons and other staff of the station were also arrested. Manager of the radio station, Mr Sule Salifu told Joy News he received a call saying the Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP John A. Awuni had instructed that the station be closed down. He said a few moments later, workers at the station called him to say police had come to shut the station and packed all the workers into a pick-up and taken them to the police station. ACP Awuni confirmed the closure to Joy News but would not give details. Joy News’ Northern Regional Correspondent Mahama Shaibu reports the press conference was called by the regent to explain the circumstance surrounding his walk out at the maiden Town Hall meeting in Tamale this week. He had walked out of the meeting protesting a decision by organizers to allow a particular chief to sit on the high table while he, (regent) sat among the public. It took the intervention of the Northern Regional Minister, Stephen Sumani Nanyina and the Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu for the regent to return to the meeting. Mahama Shaibu said the press conference was also used to educate the media on the status of the regent who is the official representative of the Ya Na. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana